The Landströms’ latest book, Pom and Pim, does what I think the Landströms always do so well: They tell wonderfully droll stories that are all about the types of daily dramas (and traumas — see the ice cream-induced tummy ache below) that very young children really care about.

Pom and Pim was originally published in 2012, and this first American edition (which I think will be on bookshelves in March) comes from Gecko Press. (Yes, Gecko published last Sunday’s book as well, but hey, on the whole they make really entertaining books.) It tells the story of a young boy with his favorite toy, who head out on a warm day to explore and play. What follows is a series of good-luck / bad-luck moments, ending with one moment that could be seen as either good or back luck, depending on how full or empty one’s glass is. (This book would be great paired with either Linda Ashman’sRain!, illustrated by Christian Robinson, or Jeff Mack’sGood News, Bad News.)

There are very short sentences here (“Money! What luck!”)—this is a book great for listening ears, but it’d also serve as a wonderful beginning reader of a picture book—not to mention many emotional highs (a balloon!) and lows (it pops!). Pom’s joys and tears are delivered with a sly, understated humor; he takes the stage on each spread with his expressive face, pulled off with minimal lines, and endearing self — all of which you can see here in the spreads I share today.

I love to see books for very young children done this well; I love to see what picture book folks overseas are doing; and this one will really resonate with young children. It’s so funny in spots.

Here’s more art. Enjoy.

“It’s warm. The sun is shining. What luck!”(Click to enlarge)

(Click the first image to see spread in its entirety)

(Click the first image to see spread in its entirety)

(Click the first image to see spread in its entirety)

(Click the first image to see spread in its entirety)

“Pom and Pim go back outside. The balloon bounces beautifully.”(Click to enlarge)

Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.

* * * Jules’ Kicks * * *

I have been feeling a bit under the weather the latter half of this week, and—though I’m feeling better today—I’m going to scoot off and lie down again, since not-being-vertical is best right now. At least I’ve got season two of House of Cards to keep me entertained. (Episode one: What in the WHAT THE??)

I love these illustrations today and have added Pom and Pim to our want to have list

Hope you’re feeling better soon, Jules! Maybe you used up all your energy meeting that book deadline. Maybe you need more beautiful chocolate.

My baby-centred kicks:

1. Our mother’s group is now meeting in a park so the babies can roll and crawl around on rugs. So cute!
2. The baby is getting stuck into eating solids, which is fun even if he insists on feeding himself which makes for a huge (but funny) mess. I love realising “this is the first time he’s tried xxx” – mango is tomorrow’s fruit before it goes out of season! (I am realising summer is coming to close so am starting to stockpile ice cubes of pureed plum, peach etc)
3. Realising how lucky I am that it doesn’t matter if the baby wastes half his food as we can afford more fruit and veg
4. Started swimming lessons with the baby . It’s mostly fun at this stage but with swimming pools very common here at some stage it will be good to know he won’t freak out and drown if he falls into water.
5. Got some soft roof racks on sale so that we can fit stuff on top of our not-giant car for camping
6. Getting some boring but important meetings set up
7. I cleaned out our pantry, scary but worthwhile.

This book looks like so much fun. I am going to do some book hunting this week. So I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one.

Jules – I hope you feel better soon. House of Cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t really say more except that so far the second season does not disappoint.
emmaco – I’m so glad you’re in a baby group. It was such a lifeline to me when my kids were small.
Steven – I’ll have to show this lovely poem to my son, Vincent.

Kicks
1. Mailed out my newest promo postcards.
2. House of Cards
3. Valentine Chocolate
4. Youth Basketball game was exciting. My son’s team almost won this time.
5. Birdfeeder
6. I made a new self portrait for Winter ’14 http://instagram.com/p/kdCIhPFP63/
7. Teachers. I hope they have a great vacation this week.

I’m going to New York City Thurs.-Sun. Sent me a note if you’ll be in town and we can try to connect.

Oh Pom and Pim you make me smile. Love the color palette.
Jules, feel better! Not fun to be sick.
Emmaco, so fun to hear about baby.
Steven, we have lots of geese living near the river. Such vibrant images.
My kicks:
1. The CYBILS were announced on Friday.
2. Author, Susan Blackaby, began her three day stay at school on Thursday.
3. Dinner with a former co-worker.
4. “The Mousetrap” play with husband and dear friend.
5. Talking about my poetry book, Solace in Nature, to an elementary after school book club.
6. A four day weekend.
7. Waking to robins’ song.
Have a great week.

Emmaco, what fun days, as Rowan grows and his personality develops. I’m glad he’s getting introduced to the water and taught to be comfortable around it. (Oh, and p.s.: I DID get more pretty chocolates in the mail, this time from our publisher! LUCKY ME.)

Thanks, Steven. You made that one look easy to write, which I’m sure it wasn’t.

Moira: I knew we’d have season two done in about three days. We have only two episodes left. Whew, it hurts my brain to try to keep up with the political maneuvering, but yes, so far we’ve enjoyed it. … Love your self-portrait. Wish I could hang out in NYC with you.

Oh…I’m so happy this morning to see my most favorite illustrator/author team of ALL TIME! I have loved their work for so long and I am thrilled another one of their jewels is coming to US.
Thank you thank you thank you Jules for posting this this morning.
xoxo
Lori

My kicks this week:
1) Baking red velvet chocolate chip cookies for a work Valentine’s Day Dessert Bar.
2) Baking red velvet brownies for a dinner with girlfriends.
3) Having a goofy and romantic Valentine’s Day lunch with my sweetie, complete with making Kir Royales to go with it.
4) Finally saw August Osage County. My goodness, but what an amazing wonderful cast.
5) A karaoke night with girlfriends, complete with private karaoke room, lots of singing, dancing & girlfriends.
6) A session helping coach the law school’s Mock Trial team – they were great, and it’s always fun to remember that was me, once upon a time.
7) A full and busy week, spent surrounded by my amazing friends.

Jules- I hope you get to feeling better!
emm- Such cool baby kicks! I miss those years!
Steven- Would love to use your poem in the classroom
Moira- I love your selfie. Your hair looks glorious
Jone-I love The Mousetrap. I saw it in London with my mom, and it was fabulous with British accents
Willow- Hope your auditions went well!
Rachel- Yum! Lots of red velvet treats!!

My kicks:
1) a lovely Saturday alone with my husband, walking around Gatlinburg, eating steaks, and driving through the National Park
2) my eldest had a wonderful time at a sleepover which thrills me because he’s not always so good socially
3) a movie night with my family tonight
4) cooking for my family on Friday for Valentine’s Day and making a successful alfredo sauce
5) my 10-year-old daughter’s face when she discovered a rose that her Daddy put on her pillow on Friday
6) looking forward to the week ahead- I love anticipation!
7) watching my son make his family tree poster for school and talking with him about family members

Love this! Boo and Baa and the Benny books were beloved favorites when Jackson was small. And though I’m not a regular kicker, and don’t have 7 of them, I did have a big one: Jackson turned 16 last week. Yowza. Hope you’re feeling better, Jules!